Villianur. Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine

Kumbakonam – The priests, sisters and parishioners of Divine Providence Parish went on a pilgrimage during Lent. Early Saturday morning, April 1st, the pilgrims departed in two buses heading for Kalpattu. Upon arrival, they ate breakfast and prayed the Way of the Cross. Mass was celebrated at St. Paul the Hermit’s Church before journeying towards Villianur. At the Immaculate Sister’s Convent, the sisters provided the pilgrims with a meal before going to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine for personal prayer and the Rosary. The next stop of the spiritual journey was at Sacred Heart Church for an opportunity to purchase Holy articles such as Rosaries, rings and prayer books. Cuddalore Silver Beach was chosen for an evening in nature and a meditative walk. After relaxing at the beach, the pilgrims headed toward home stopping in Meensurutti for tea and vadai. Through the intercession of St. Paul the Hermit and Our Lady of Lourdes, it was a joyful and spiritual experience for all of the pilgrims.

Cuddalore – The Month of October is commemorated as a special month both for the Church and the Guanellian Congregations. The month is blessed with the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the feast of St. Louis Guanella. To celebrate these two important feasts, St. Joseph’s Seminary organized a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at Villianur on October 11th. Fr. Amalorpavanathan began the day with opening prayers then the brothers started their pilgrimage in groups. Through the grace of God all safely reached their destination. The Rosary was recited and Holy Mass celebrated. Fr. Amalorpavanathan gave a beautiful homily on Marian spirituality in light of St. Louis Guanella’s writings. Following Holy Mass the pilgrims processed around the Madha Pool carrying candles and praying for their personal intentions. The group returned to the Seminary after lunch.

Cuddalore – Saint Louis Guanella had a great devotion to Mother Mary, few days after his feast the college brothers made their pilgrimage to our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Villianur. This pilgrimage began the morning of October 28th; leaving by bicycle from St. Joseph’s seminary after a prayer and blessing. It took three hours to reach the Shrine where they spent some time in personal prayer and adoration before joining other pilgrims to pray the rosary. Fr. Amalorpavanathan celebrated the holy Eucharist in which some lay pilgrims also joined the celebration. In the homily he taught that mother Mary is a model for the religious life and of obedience to the will of God with a humble heart. Prayers were offered for the holy church, the growth of Guanellian congregations, for the intentions of the major and local superiors, personal conversion and vocations. After lunch in a park nearby, the pilgrimage ended by relaxing on the beach.